"I know I hurt you and I
I don't deserve you but don't leave me, leave me
Took you for granted but don't
Don't leave me stranded here, I need ya, need ya
It's a long way down
If I fall without you
I know I hurt you and I
I don't deserve you but don't leave me
Don't leave me now!~"
(Don't Leave Me Now - Lost Frequencies)

☆

The carers of the wounded who ran the establishment had banished him from the room while they tended to Venus, allowing Optimus to test how much anxiety his vastly littler new body could afford before it would eventually falter.

So far he'd measured a considerable amount welling up within his fleshy confines.

The bulky man lingered unsteadily out in the pearly hallway, not completely abandoned to work through the resumed wait alone. Charlie Watson sat quietly upon one of three conjoined seats lining the left wall, right leg bouncing up and down in consistent twitches. Ben Knight paced the immediate area around them, unnerved, skating in front of Optimus before returning past his back once he reached the exit doors.

The silence was telling and empty. Optimus was already worried beyond measure. The lack of comfort or optimism from either human confirmed they had succumbed to just as much despair as he.

Venus had awoken, she'd appeared to be fine?...

But those pained shrieks rattling out of her... he could still feel them shudder through the framework of both his current forms.

"Could shock have ailed her?" Prime considered, posing the theory with a stiff turn to face his company. The concept that he, in any way, could have worsened Venus' condition set fresh dread sinking into the skin of his new face.

"I intended this form to be of comfort to her.... Yet she appeared to be distressed. Do you think she disapproves?" Paired with his low tone and the glassy nature of his eyes, the sight was like that of a small child admitting to wrong doing.

Charlie and Ben exchanged a look that screamed not to let him feel at fault.

"She banged her head, and they said her ribcage isn't looking too good either." Charlie relayed delicately. Plainly so, he noticed, to spare him suffering by blaming her existing incapacitation.

Sadly, her efforts were meek compared to the self berating subroutines, bleeding out to submerge any positive notions like knife wounds slashing thoroughly enough to drown his processor in guilty waves.

Images of her fated descent were unshakably ingrained. Along with whispers of her screams still rattling around in the human variant of his audio receptors.

Now, when he'd finally had her within reach, he'd been utterly and painfully ineffective.

"Either way, the fault lies with me."

Another set of looks flew between the humans. Dripping in sympathy and yet as unable to do anything helpful as the Autobot leader.

There was nothing else much to be done except await a visit from one of the doctors for an update. Eventually Charlie had the initiative to suggest he take a walk, go clear his thoughts.

Leaving her in such a condition was by no means ideal, but his small current form it seemed did not do well under stress. Right now, the entirety of his limbs were seized rigidly with the likened intensity of rust damage to motor gears. If he were to be of benefit to Venus, he needed to recompose himself.

Exploring what were to Cybertronians, miniature structures the humans inhabited was something that had previously fascinated him. Currently he did not have much spark for walking the halls for pleasure.

Of course, Optimus was keeping track of every turn he took. Every sign he passed under, remotely drawing up a digital map of his route so there would be no doubt he'd find his way back to his human comrades.

He did not plan to be long. In fact he felt some guilt in being away at that moment despite her keepers being clear that there was nothing he could do.

He was a Prime. A leader. How could he be so powerless in this situation?

To be there he neglected the very reason he had travelled to Earth. If he could truly do nothing, then doing so had been pointless, and possibly damaged the chances of victory against the regrouping Decepticons.

Finding himself at a crossroads of corridors spanning various destinations, and mentalities, steps dwindled to an eventual cease of progress. Leaving him just staring aimlessly around the vacant white walls. Vicinity devoid of any other life.

Wandering was not as therapeutic or cleansing as he'd hoped.

Unsure of how long he'd been standing wastefully, a small yet noticeably persistent tug on his trouser leg brought him back to attention.

Optimus, rigidly from past experience concerning the unknown, craned his head downwards cautiously to find a little human staring up at him. Bright brown eyes striking his own earnestly.

"Mister, can you please help me?" The small female requested. Female, he judged, based on the build matching that of Charlie and Venus, except of course much younger, since she barely stood to the height of his hip. Fitting the criteria of the age range humans referred to as "childhood".

In immediate response, Optimus crouched to rest on one knee so that they could be eye level, and so they might address one another easier.

Flares of his leader's instinct seeped back through gladly. A happy ease to his weary conscience.

"How may I assist you?" Gentle rumbles prompted her patiently.

"I went to look for a bathroom, but I don't think I can walk back, my legs hurt a lot." She expressed to him, hints of a shy quality coming through that suggested she had not wanted to bother anyone.

There was a light quiver in her thin limbs that suggested tiredness. In fact her whole body appeared to be having trouble standing there steadily by the way she teetered to either side subtly. That must be why she was present in the facility, the Prime deduced, since she was clad in the oddly textured white garment Venus and the other patients were all provided with.

It emphasised the pale nature of her darker toned skin. The only splash of colour was a shimmery orange material wrapped around her head where hair would be. Though Optimus could not see any hair upon her scalp.

Aiding beings that couldn't help themselves was one of the reasons he functioned. He would never refuse, especially to one so clearly fragile.

Optimus' focused gaze scanned the empty area briefly in search of one of those curious wheeled contraptions he had witnessed the healers utilise to transport other residents around on earlier. Like any other form of assistance, there was nothing in sight to be of use.

Instead, and asking permission first like a true gentleman, the little girl was scooped incredibly delicately into his arms, settled against his chest.

Once secure, and on her direction, Optimus occupied himself with the one being it seemed he could help right now. Striding back down the harshly lit hallways. Once again, guided by a human.

He just hoped by the time such crusade was done, he might deduce a way to aid his own dear one.

--

Fingertips were numb. Her brain was rattling about her skull like a marble in a pinball machine. Venus didn't feel any more awake then when she'd fazed back to the land of the living.

The nurses had taken their time prodding at her bruised form, especially her ribs. Every touch on that area felt like the drag of a knife tip. She had been right about the pain. It had indeed resurfaced to strike her down.

When she was finally left to rest, a new piercing drip of some painkiller worked its way through her via the line inserted into her left hand. She couldn't remember the drug's name but by the deeply fuzzy feeling situated firmly in her forehead she could assume its intensity. It made the dull hospital gown feel increasingly scratchy on her sensitive skin that was burning up with the beginnings of a fever. The metal of her name stating necklace provided cool relief against her collar, allowing her some further awareness.

The door clicked, and Charlie slipped in with an asking look before she came any further.

Lazy, floppy motions of her hand was about all the ailed woman could manage to usher her in.

Her second visitor followed Charlie, smiling in doting fashion, that ever so slightly sparked some energy in her.

"Ben?.. What..." Venus shifted about to try to sit herself up against the crunchy pillows better. Looking the fellow blonde over with puzzlement. "How did you get here?"

"Plane. Still running surprisingly even after all the chaos back home." Shuffles brought him closer, that smile settling himself in as his offering of consolation. "I'm glad I gave you my number now."

Venus' tired lips parted with all the current energy she had to a small, appreciative smile.

"So, what have I missed?"

Now that was the question. Ben and Charlie glanced at each other to see who would divulge.

The girl, in her higher experience, recounted how Bumblebee was currently scouting out the scattered Autobot forces - and seeking out the two Decepticons they currently knew of. For all they knew there could be many more lurking in wait.

The extent of her condition was explained delicately to her. A blow to the head from the fall, triggering general concussion and that already resolved bout of unconsciousness, but astoundingly nothing else further than darkening bruises and graze fashioned cuts. Miraculously no brain damage. Apparently she'd swerved potentially fatal results by the fact she'd landed on sand and by sacrificing her ribs on impact. Some fractured, most bruised. All excruciatingly painful.

And then there was that development that had literally been staring them in the face.

"And Optimus is... a man?"

Charlie nodded stately with just as much shared confusion as the blondes.

"... But, how is he a man?" Venus didn't understand. Her head already felt like it was spinning, and with the drugs in her system the edges of the room weren't too visually stable either at present.

"I was there and I don't even really get it." Ben scratched his head, having been trying to make sense of all the technical explanations Optimus had divulged at the time ever since the mysterious transformation had occurred.

"I remember some weird blue light, like a strobe. Then, there he was. Just sitting in the driver's seat like he'd always been there."

Charlie's primary wonder was how scarily similar Optimus' man mode looked to Ben physically. The same build, jaw structure, haircut, even facial hair. Other elements, like eyes, colours and the audacious dress sense had clearly emerged from elsewhere.

At the mention of the Prime, Venus' heart fluttered needingly with a sudden longing for his presence.

"Where is he?"

"Taking a walk." Ben hummed in answer.. "Want me to go find him?"

Venus' eager nods were all he required to stroll briskly back out of that room and go off in search of said man with urgency.

The previously occupied visitor's armchair had grown cold with Optimus' prolonged absence. Charlie took it for the time being, settling down into it with a wiggle and with a wistful look about her.

A dull crystalline glaze settled over her dark eyes. A look Venus had come to identify and understand well. She imagined that recently she must have donned a similar manner of thoughtfulness.

Charlie's gaze wasn't fixated on anything specific at first. Until it shifted about, resting on Venus as a whole.

"What?" Venus' confusion fueled her slightly croaky, weakened tone of question the moment she clocked herself as the subject of view.

"Doesn't matter.." Charlie's hums answered half heartedly. Dark irises not leaving or releasing their wide, longing emotion.

Venus only had to emit a tired expression that very clearly wasn't convinced for Charlie to falter into truthfulness.

"Fine..." Shaking her head, the brunette slouched back defeatedly, arms slipping into a hold that clasped around the other. A self hug she apparently needed.

"It's you and Optimus. You're..."

"We're...?" Venus prompted curiously.

The room fell silent, and somewhat stuffy, the air emptying deathly of voices. Charlie was now looking at her equally as curiously. How would Venus herself finish the statement?

To put it simply, Venus found herself as lost for words as she'd been in that leaden dream world.

Trying to describe a relationship between herself and the space hailing robot would be complicated enough as the beginning of their journey. But with how she felt with him, how he made her feel... Oh, were there even words?

"Friends" nowhere near cut it. Not anymore. Not since those nights under the stars, embraced in the security of his palms and cascaded under the royal gleam of his gaze.

Their relationship was significantly intimate. Enough touches of affection had been exchanged by both beings to be sure of that. However the consideration of it being of romantic nature, or drastically worse, sexual, was sickening to her core with sure denial. No, never. That was not the type of intimacy she felt towards him. This was deeper rooted and far more innocent. Not like the way she'd fall into a crush over a man. Her emotions concerning this felt, in a way, childlike.

It felt natural, yet unfamiliar, yet wholly something she needed all the same. A missing puzzle piece in the jigsaw that was her very being. She had not experienced anything like this in her life and reason assured her no one else could match such performance.

Were there even existent words to summarise the enigma that Venus Jones and Optimus Prime had become to each other?

Venus' gaze fell upon Charlie Watson with the sudden need to discover those words.

"What are we, Charlie?" Based on the origins of this conversation she had to have faith that the girl could provide enlightenment.

"You're... you and him..."

The choked nature of Charlie's voice gradually seeping in only seemed to emphasise her longing look. Envious.

"I look at you and Optimus, and you're like me and my dad were."

--

Further off, blindly unaware that his dear one now required his presence, Optimus Prime was taking great joy in once again being able to function in a useful capacity. Even if it was just transporting a little girl back to her bedrest.

It seemed Annie, as she introduced herself sweetly, knew this place like the back of her hand. Fortunately for him because he'd lost track of his path despite his mapping somewhere dubbed "Cardiology".

Even in a human form, he acted as a vehicle or mode of transport for this child. How curious a notion.

Subtly he decided Annie would make a fine Guiding Star, she certainly had the talent. For him, that impeccable role had already been filled.

Narrow little arms wrapped securely around his neck, cradling her by under her knees and by the small of her back, the duration was filled with nonchalant chatter. How the young one had gone in search of a bathroom while the one on her ward was unusable.

Ah, yes. Taking a leak. Very clearly important to all humans.

Annie had in turn received mostly vague shreds of information. Not enough to divulge his secretive persona. More along the lines of why he was at the hospital that day, not specifically on Earth. And that he was worried. So very worried for his dear one.

Eventually they arrived at a bulky set of double doors. One a kindly nurse had to allow them access to pass through.

"Paediatric Oncology." An odd duo of words that's meanings would remain a fortunate mystery to the already dispirited Prime.

"Oh, Annie, thank god!" Optimus shuddered at the minor yet baritone jumpscare. Another man appeared at his side with impressive speed the second they stopped onto the ward. An older man, bearing fair resemblance to Annie except the short hair he retained was streaked with greys, contrasting his dark skin starkly. His face tragically weary, clearly stressed. It reminded Optimus a lot of how he currently felt. Was that how his own demeanour appeared to others?

"What have we told you about wandering off?"

"Relax dad, I'm fine. This guy helped me out." Annie shrugged with an innocent beam that appeared to have the desired effect. The older man sighed defeatedly, stature relaxing from rigid nature as his chagrin melted to reassurance.

Optimus clocked the turn of the man's gaze had landed on him with firm, considerable suspicion. Understandably. He would feel much the same should a stranger arrive bearing Venus in their arms without context. Annie was not snatched, but promptly taken out of his hold by her 'dad'.

A quick series of hushed words courtesy of Annie in her dad's ear however changed the whole atmosphere. Immediately the man's gaze reformed from cautious and hostile to sympathetic. Brotherly in a sense. An offer of a handshake was quickly extended on his part.

"Ted Banes. Sorry for the suspicion, my friend."

Optimus blinked thrice at the limb extended to him, clearly dumbfounded. A human custom? It did not appear to be a symbol of hostility...

His own hand moved outwards to meet his with an unsure brush of skin contact as a guess of what he was meant to do. Ted chuckled, apparently not phased by the apparent awkwardness of the man. Instead, Ted clasped Optimus' hand firmly and shook it himself with a smile.

Another human interaction Optimus made a note to log. The following was also added: hospitality. As quite soon he had been ushered to join the family back in Annie's room. Where he met Julie - "The loveliest wife a man like me could hope for", as her husband affectionately stated with a kiss to her cheek.

There was no denying it either. The woman was clearly good natured, it could be observed in the way she tucked Annie into the bed that seemed just too large for such a little being. Every need she catered for without request required. Fluffing the crunchy pillows into plumpness, pouring a cup of water and setting it on the table that sat supported over the blankets, and collecting for her daughter paper and colouring pencils from the cabinet situated beside the bed.

Ted offered Optimus a pop up stool composed of wooden slats and a canvas seat, since it appeared the room was not originally designed for multiple visitors. He took it with a nod of gratitude, fumbling with the contraption in bewilderment for almost two minutes before he accidentally worked it out when he dropped it, letting gravity snap the legs into place.

Annie gave him a thumbs up in congratulations when he finally got himself seated, though he sat delicately since the support did not seem so strong and he did not yet know how much mass his human form held.

A small cup of water was pushed into his hands by Julie, who then returned to her place in the single hospital visitor's chair beside the bed as Annie started to colour on the paper.

While he did not make any effort to consume the beverage out of unsurity, Optimus did vocalize his thanks for the family's kindness. Being shown such hospitality in any form was foreign to him after so many years of conflict and disarray. And certainly not by many other humans as of yet. Perhaps the human facade he wore allowed them to see him as an equal.

Family. Now Optimus understood the warmth of the concept beyond the word and stories of others.

"Have to look out for our brothers and sisters in here." Ted expressed solemnly, he having expertly set up his own stool the moment they'd entered the room. Now he sat, fingers linked as his hands rested upon his knees.

The look of solidarity he was giving Optimus was met with considerable confusion before Ted elaborated.

"Annie told me your girl isn't doing so well."

Mutual understanding achieved, Optimus Prime slumped sharply to a hunch where he sat. No words came in reply, nor were they needed. The creased nature of his new face was all the clarification needed.

Ted sighed knowingly, straightening his back with a nod.

"You're worried. That's perfectly natural." The father hummed with wisdom Optimus could only wish to obtain.

"... Yet, I am of no use to her." Prime took a moment to reply with shame deep enough to drown a being of his usual size. His head was bowed, low and guilty like he was asking the forgiveness of the parent before him. He had been glad of his ability to assist Annie indeed, but Venus still lay unchanged. No, now she had deteriorated and he had achieved nothing to improve her state.

"She lies incapacitated. To witness the pain in her eyes is the worst torture. I thought.. What I have done... I believe she disapproves of my methods to be at her side."

Ted nodded attentively, demeanour remaining friendly yet knowledgeable in the subject of which they spoke. "I don't think she really disapproves. Like you said, she's hurt. I imagine she's pretty scared too."

"I fear so... The possibility still stands that she will suffer a 'panic attack'." Optimus replied with all due apprehension at the very real concern. For all he knew, Venus was currently coiled in such a state. The image was despairing. Limbs tensed with a sudden urge to shoot up from that too small seat and go tearing back to her, just to ensure it was not the case.

Ted raised a hand, as if to cut him off. Or so Optimus thought. Instead, before any other words of wisdom were divulged, that hand found itself firmly clasping the red leather shoulder pad of Prime's jacket.

The sensation of the gesture imparted needed comfort. But as usual, insecurity reasoned he was perhaps undeserving of such reassurance from one clearly superior in the particular field.

"Then the answer is simple. You need to comfort your girl." Ted offered surely. His tone speaking as if the task was simple.

To Optimus it felt far and foreign as did everything on that planet. Hence the reason he had required a guide in the first place.

"That is the problem, Ted Banes... I do not know how."

"Well, from one Father to another, let me give you some tips." The human wasn't allowing the Prime to succumb to the tragedy of his predicament. To have an understanding comrade of sorts in this darkest hour was truly relieving.

But that word, the term Ted had used. He'd heard of it in passing before. He understood it theoretically - the head of a family unit responsible for overseeing the welfare of their charges. The way Venus had briefly mentioned it, to her at least, it was generally perceived to be a negative association. Until now it had seemed a relatively standard, leader like status to him.

But this man... If he was the true definition of a Father, then it was truly one of the highest honours one could receive. To care, raise, nurture, and protect in an intimate fashion Cybertron knew nothing like. A position he himself would relish if given the sacred opportunity.

"... You consider me to be a 'Father'?" He hesitated, fearing he had misheard or wrongly interpreted. Suddenly he found himself eagerly hoping to be correct.

With every faith in his assumption of the stranger, Ted Banes nodded in confirmation.

To the Prime, the simple motion was ascending. Life altering, sealing the role to himself with heavenly association. As wondrous and humbling as the day he was made a Prime.

In light of considerably tragic circumstances, the world he stood on was finally making sense, along with his own recent perplexing thoughts.

Ted and Annie. He and Venus.

They were one in the same. Identical in their bonds.

The way the parents before him cared for their young one, he regarded it with familiarity. How he wished to care for Venus. How he now understood his desire to commit to her.

They may have met by coincidence. Out of billions he could have chosen as his aid, the brightly clad blonde he'd discovered in the wilderness had shown unimaginable kindness in taking him on. Ignited these pleasantly alien emotions in him and returned them just as fiercely.

If she would allow him the honour, there was nothing that would give him greater pleasure, apart from perhaps a close tie with winning the war, than to make the nature of their relationship official.

The idea of being a Father to Venus gladly enticed Optimus Prime. However it was a role he would not assume in words without knowing she too desired such a development.

--

Charlie smiled with acclaim the moment the side room door clicked, signalling the return of their missing Autobot after dusk had long fallen. Venus was now safely in more capable hands.

The girl remained bedbound. Now more comfortably nestled amongst the extra pillows, the numbing effects of what she assumed was morphine finally helped to ease off the agony to a moderate stinging sensation.

Her mind, while disorganised somewhat by the strength of the pain relief, had one subject clearly contemplating amongst the unfocused muddle.

Names and terms floating about her thoughts in proximity that she never would have dreamed would have any connotation when she first set eyes on the robot.

Optimus. Father. Venus. Daughter.

Charlie had really thrown a spanner into the works. And yet her thoughts regarding Optimus held together firmer and more assured than ever.

As tight as the wistful clench on the golden compass within her right palm, fingers pressed into the metal intensely enough to ingrain the circular edges into her skin. Like she were attempting to meld this piece of him with her own being so he may be present in some form.

The brunette made herself scarce immediately, opening the door just enough to slip out and allow herself some rest bite, likely alongside Ben. As well as figure out where they would all go from there. The two had that in common at least - how they'd been roped into this adventure.

Metal creaked as tentatively as Optimus' form appeared, peering through the gap left by the ajared door in test. Everything he was doing now, every move or decision he made had to be carefully executed. He would act only on her terms.

Catching sight of those saddened blue eyes, flattened by creased brows was all she needed to witness for her heart to quiver. Heavy, compass lacking hand straining to reach for him with need.

His transition hadn't sacrificed any speed by the way he flew to her bedside. Warm hands clasping around hers sturdily and yet using as much gentle nature as possible to support her weakened limb.

Her trembling hand was encased, pressed snugly between his palms. His skin felt so alive. Soft, yet precisely aged with each callous and indent. Like the years had been painted on. Just under the surface, thundering like the force of rapids, sensations so lightly powerful against her own touch. It truly made her feel enamoured. A heartbeat, or whatever his equivalent would be dubbed. So powerful, far too vibrant to be restricted to a human body.

Optimus took considerable note of the lost, analysing quality of the faint cloudiness whisping across her irises. Any possibility of worry, or unhappiness or confusion he set to eradicate.

His grasp guided her palm further, drawing it precisely to settle against the centre of his chest. Fingers protectively curling around her fragile limb.

Venus focused her attentions on the sensations gracing that hand. Subconsciously expecting a standard rise and fall of his chest, as you would on any other man.

While there was no breath, the tremoring thrum radiated more forcefully, sending waves shuddering through her bones. Such power didn't harm her, not at all. Quite the opposite. Every beat mimicked heated caresses over her person, reaching deeper than any physical touch. Every faithful pound into her skin a reminder of his presence.

Thrum. Thrum. Rhythmically washing over and over again. Like a racing engine.

"It is not what you would call a 'heart'. Rather an echo of my life-force. My 'Spark'. Partly captured within this form." Optimus murmured sensitively in the hope that explaining the process would ease her clear bewilderment. That if she could understand, it would prevent further ailment.

Less scientifically, Venus' heartbeat had always provided him comfort. Maybe his Sparkbeat could do the same for her.

The glassier, tear jerking nature shifting in her eyes sparked apprehension for fear of failure. His gaze fixated on her, watching her grasp tighten to a loose fist around the grey fabric of his shirt.

"So you're... still you?" Venus breathed with gathering strength in rejoice.

"As complete as you last witnessed me. What you see before you, what you are touching, is merely an extension." Optimus assured her beyond sincerely. A flat smile tugging into existence by the edges of his lips. The way his eyes creased softly in sync with his newly acquired lower half, it was how she'd imagined his face without the mask.

His being, she could see it now in the human man cradling her hand against himself so fondly. The titan's body, condensed to human parameters yet retaining the characteristics that made her Prime his unique self. Down to the colours - crimson chassis translated into the matte textured red jacket hanging slightly oversized on his torso, topping a standard grey t-shirt. The lower half of his attire consisted of washed out navy jeans. Baggy, just not enough leeway to be considered flares. Skirting the top of simplistic grey boots laced at the front to imitate his robotic silver and royal blue leg area.

Fairly fashionable for the era. As a lover of vibrant looks Venus had to admire how he'd adapted to create his.

A look much like her own.

Strikingly so in fact...

But did that mean...

Unlike Charlie's observations, Venus didn't see the remnants of Ben's face within Optimus' construct, not now she could truly see her Prime before her. Despite the clothing being well suited to him, she knew it far more personally. Recently so.

She'd been wearing similar garments the day she met Optimus.

"Why are you wearing those clothes?" She requested the explanation in no way pointedly. Words a light breath in comparison to her usual strength of tone.

Something bordering both apprehension and shyness painted Optimus' features.

"My frame structure, build, and most physical features I have procured from our friend, Ben Knight. That is how this form was created. But the rest..." He gestured to his clothing, then bought his hands upwards and back, smoothing back the jagged cut of his blonde hair to emphasise his facial area.

"The rest was inspired by you. Created for you. So in this darkest hour I may be properly at your side, my dearest Venus." He admitted passionately, vocals a soft rumble bubbling up from within that artwork of a body.

Venus' breath hitched in her throat like a solid. Suddenly there was no missing it. The clothes aside she spied the thinner, more chiselled features like his nose and cheeks. The golden blonde hair. Identical to hers, to her mother's too actually. God knew how Susan would feel about that. But Venus herself....

In a heart-swelling moment she didn't need to contemplate, the woman lunged despite the pain and restrictions of the various tubes and wiring about her person. Despite the sharp split second of agony caused by moving so abruptly.

Optimus tensed in panic, hands shooting up to a supportive position as they clasped under her arms. Acting as the support she needed as she clawed herself forward with groans of effort. Falling against his chest and once feeling that familiar heat, that feeling of utter safety, Venus threw her arms around his neck with a small, bubbly brief cry, and hung onto him for dear life.

The fashion that had her pressed so desperately to him, Optimus could feel every little quiver. The swift pounding of her chest, not currently dire enough to spark attentive action. The thud of her heart diffused into the synthesised muscular mass. The feeling of it was so pure, so calming.

His hands slipped from the careful clasp on her upper arms, fingertips brushing lightly down her shoulder blades as they trailed. Touch demanded that it dare not stray from her. An instinct as strong as gravity.

Finding themselves in a suited position, palms pressed in a path into the small of her back. Equivalent to testing the waters, as the humans he believed put it.

Venus further melted into him, heart swindling to a beautifully steady strum of contentment. The way that solace bled through her own body into his, it was the wordless confirmation that he was acting correctly.

This was natural. Primus, as his hands slipped outwards to allow his arms to wrap around her sides, further affirming the hold, it felt so unconditionally right.

"I have been reliably informed that this particular hold is able to provide great comfort." Delicate whispers in her ear relayed, tone chosen to diffuse any tension that lingered.

Like Ted Banes had promised, he had indeed bestowed some tips to the doting Father.

Father. In Optimus' perception, that position and predicament as he clutched Venus felt wholly likened to his vision of the term.

The shuddering sobs that followed suit instilled instantaneous, fundamental action.

Her tightened form was pulled from against him with gentle insistence, just enough so he may look over her face. Hold gliding upwards to cup her flushed cheeks with every care not to scrape the fresh cuts. By no means did he create distance between them, and his touch barely left her skin as it had lingered the duration of that particular interaction.

"Venus, why are you crying?" Optimus murmured worriedly, recalling the term from the list worthy number of previous incidents.

In such past examples, he had followed his 'Consoling Protocols'. Now he implemented new entries to them via the wisdom of the humans.

Perhaps, the Protocols would soon come under an altered name.

In contrast to his expectations of a breakdown, likely further tears or sobs, Venus smiled.

She smiled as brightly as the precious moments she spent gazing at the heavens. Such elation refused to be tainted by the scrapes littering her body, or the trickles cascading delicately between the surface of her skin and his thumbs as he stroked them away like wipers in a hurricane.

Her heartfelt answer, certainly not the one Optimus expected.

"Because I'm happy." Teary words wobbled out on the winds of a cracked laugh. "I'm happy you're here."

The space between their faces was barely noticeable beforehand. What slim distance became null as their foreheads settled gently against one another's in a moment of mutual desire.

And so there they stayed, for how long became a mystery once lazy solace blurred time into a haze neither one felt concern for.

Optimus had long since settled upon the hospital bed, back propped up against the pillows in place of Venus. She now held a far more appeasing position, embraced protectively against his chest where she had lay there far long enough for the drowsiness of events and medication to overcome her.

The silence was comfortable, consistent, save for the occasional exhales of contentment. This was peace like Optimus had never known. Purpose so clear it set itself highly aside that of bringing freedom to all sentient beings.

Venus could barely move from the extended stillness, her limbs having seized up under the drug's influence. But why would she want to part from this? Her Prime's fingers worked their way down through her disheveled locks with massaging precision, every stroke earning a heavy, happy sigh from her followed by a further snuggle against his peck.

In those blissful moments, the world was not under threat. Venus was not lay injured in a foreign state, separated from her family. And Optimus was not a troubled leader of a scattered race, now bound to a distant planet. All that mattered was their proximity, if Venus was comfortable enough, if Optimus could start aching from being stationary so long.

"Are you content, dear one?" Optimus enquired earnestly, having noticed the prolonged relaxation of her form. Effortlessly stroking the back of her knuckles and admiring the healthy glow returning gladly to her skin.

The lazy nods of her head barely registered with how tightly her face was buried in the warmth of his chest.

"Hurts a little still... but I'm okay." Drowsy hums huffed into the shirt fabric.

The notion of any pain remaining, no matter its mild nature was cause for displeasure. Stirring him up just enough that he couldn't settle with the knowledge.

Fortunately, Ted Banes had imparted sufficient advice in the art of comforting dear daughters.

"If I may, Venus?" A forefinger curled under the woman's chin, unfurling her from the practical burial within his person.

The vibrant glint in her eyes, his hands petting down the unsettled locks of hair that splayed as she rose up. Complete and utter trust faced him. Unyielding, pure, perfection. Such emotion only made his Spark swell with building adoration, a delicate smiling tugging at the edges of his mouth. It only made his next movements all the more instinctively easy.

His own head craned forwards, palms against her cheeks holding her position. So that when his face once again met her form, his lips landed flawlessly atop her forehead. The soft, plush nature pressing a single yet more than effective kiss into her warming skin. Driven with all the affection collected since his realization of his feelings for her.

For those blessed moments of contact, Venus physically ceased breathing. Not in the panicked way she had become accustomed to. Every nerve and sense capable focused on that tiny patch of skin, how warm and tingly it had become.

Even when the kiss had run its course, Optimus' face remained against the top of her head. He himself starting to feel comfortably lazy in such a position. Truly he had expected the gesture to provide her comfort, but the effects were settling pleasantly within himself also.

Timid nuzzles tucked Venus' head back into him, cheek resting against the firm surface of his collarbone. In response, Optimus' chin settled with gentle weight atop her hair, hands slipping to a spot they'd become well acquainted with upon her mid back. Wordlessly the two beings became embraced by eachother via equal measures of she shuffling needlingly and he drawing her in eagerly.

In that moment, both beings felt a sense of transformation.

Optimus, well, for the first time since his star's fated fall, he felt truly of use to her. That his shift to fatherly responsibility and consequential actions were more effective than anything he had imagined to be of aid.

And Venus...

She had only one desire now, as her bruised knuckles tightened to fists around the fabric of his jacket.

One simple thing she needed. Something she'd lacked in her childhood, not that she'd ever realized that it was missing.

A piece of her heart had long been absent. Now, she was clutching onto it so tightly if Optimus was a normal human he may well have struggled to breathe.

Jupiter and she had spoken of this often in their years of maturity. How could you miss the influence of a Father when you had no memory or idea of what exactly you had never known?

Venus knew it now. What her birth father - compared to her Prime, the practical stranger known as Jedd Dyer, had failed so blindly to provide.

Solace. Security. Adoration. Attention. Love.

Love. To put it simply. She felt love both from and for Optimus that filled the fatherly void in her soul.

Charlie had spoken no lies, only wisdom.

"Venus?" Optimus prompted carefully, from his perspective she had gone very quiet and from the way she'd latched onto him he feared something was wrong.

Without relinquishing any intensity from her hold, in a swift motion she moved upwards, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her face into its left side.

Now Optimus was sensing there was more to this contact than a need for affection.

"I want to stay with you." Her whines confessed without an inch of hesitation.

Prime's fingers expertly caressed the length of her spine with a deep, if somewhat worrisome rumble.

"I swear, I will not leave you, dear one." He reiterated in promise, though discontented shudders rattling her form proved it did not have the reassuring effect he'd hoped for.

"No... listen please, please." Croaks of desperation crackled her vocals, the clutch on his person shaking with every falter. The brief silence and inactivity of the man proved amply that he was paying attention devotedly.

For this admission she needed his presence, unconditionally and faithfully.

"Optimus, I've grown up without a dad all my life. And... I've been fine with that, I've gotten on with things."

At first, those words were spoken shyly, murmured into the falsified skin she buried herself within for her own mental stability, perhaps with some lingering fear of rejection. Loving strokes upon her less bruised cheek were gentle encouragement and reassurance that invited her to face him.

As she did rise with building spirit, the warm nature of Optimus' humanised face gazing down with such gentle adoration fuelled her confession.

"I've never had a dad... but then I found you. And you fill that void in me. I don't think I've ever felt as loved as I have with you-"

Even the strongest of souls would crack at such pure realizations. And Venus' soul was anything but weak. Support, comfort, some of the fundamental needs of any being. That was what Optimus Prime provided the weary soul. Quite literally, at this moment his hold on her cheek steadied her frame, and her conviction.

So that when the words, the plea almost, finally emerged, it was one needful soul communicating directly with another.

"You're my dad... I need to stay.. I need to be with you. Don't send me home. Just... let me stay with you."

Her confession had come out as more of a beg. One that stunted the Prime for a good few moments, his expression wide, eyes glassy. A fitting contrast to her puffier, crimson tinted face.

He had expected himself to be the one to bargain and plead for such a development.

Gaze as bright as the streetlights peaking through the blinds against the now darkened sky, remaining utmost fixated on her, one hand strayed from the embrace, reaching gingerly into the folds of his jacket. Rustles of paper preceded the retrieval of a slightly creased piece of card, creased in half at the middle.

The spectrum of crayon scribbles against the white backdrop immediately drew her interest. Though she remained unsure of the item's significance. Hence why Optimus visibly hesitated, holding back with wavering confidence before his other hand too retreated, guiding her hand to take the card.

The scribbles were childish, untidy, yet focused and made with dedication. The scene depicted two blonde figures, assumingly by the varying short and long hair of a man and woman, decorated in red jackets and blue pants. Holding hands with one another and sharing the most joyous smiles and turquoise eyes.

Below the illustration, immature yet written with the greatest attempts to be tidy and coherent, a well wish. Signed off with an array of cartoon hearts and kisses.

'Dear Venus, I hope you feel better soon and like your dad's new look.

Lots of love from Annie Banes, my mom and dad, and your Father, Optimus.'

Venus had to swipe the card into the air to avoid the waterfall of tears colliding and smudging the masterpiece. All those building emotions physically flooding out of her in salty streams. This had clearly been made up in advance of her confession.

"Father?" She found herself asking despite the evidence clenched in her quivering grasp.

In response, Optimus Prime smiled collectively with a quality one would address a dream. Like if their greatest desire was set before them.

"If you would allow me the honour, nothing would give me greater joy or honour, dear one."

Since Venus' fated fall that had ricocheted into transcendental qualities neither she or Optimus could have ever anticipated, time had become an irrelevant notion. Unneeded and unwanted. But also not feared, for the idea of ever parting was dead and buried.

In such a mindset, deeply drowsy and partly intoxicated from the medication, Venus had requested, then begged that they depart. That they didn't need to stay there, they only needed eachother and they'd be okay.

"We'll get Charlie and Ben, they can come too. Go find 'Bee.. Elton must be missing us...we can drive through until the sunrise..."

Optimus had initially refused in regards for her injuries, fearing the worst should he attempt to remove her. The alarms that sounded as she pulled away her wire restraints did not ease his worries.

"Venus, I do not deem it wise to remove you at this moment."

Her trust, her 'love', was what eventually swayed the Prime into agreement.

"I'll have you. I'll be safe if I go with you."

As Optimus had come to understand that day, his purpose as her Father would be to ensure her safety. That was to be his responsibility. Alongside his Autobots and with the likes of Shatter and Starscream dealt with, that would be far safer.

The looks and protests of the nurses as the man exited the room into the hall, leaving the blaring machines behind were ignored in fair ignorance. The golden compass had been forgotten by Venus within the sheets and warranted unneeded now by Optimus. Not now she was to remain with him. His only concern was holding the fragile star of the woman close to his chest as he carried her in path to the exit. Any attempts for the concerned parties to intervene were met with his body turning, blocking their reach with his own body and quickening his pace.

Hopefully Charlie and Ben wouldn't be astray from their route, less they risk further attempts to prevent them leaving.

Venus' arms around his neck, her relaxed breath beating against his collar fueled his urgency and search for their companions. The click of the far double doors marked 'Way Out' sparked hope. They had to reassemble their company and move if all were to succeed.

The wooden doors swung open to allow sight of two known beings. Regrettably, not Charlie and Ben.

To Venus, their faces were never to be mistaken. Especially recently, since they'd cemented themselves into her waking guilty dreams.

And Optimus had heard enough stories of them to distinguish the two thanks to the contrasting brunette and blonde hair. Their resemblance to Venus was unmistakable when identifying them.

The brunette with the denim jacket and thick curly locks dressed just like her. The blonde, well, she was like looking at an older mirror image of Venus. And their eyes, ranging shades but all a piercing blue.

Susan, the worrisome mother. And Jupiter, the gallant elder sister. They'd found their way across the country to their missing link.

Their expressions, particularly Susan's, were anything but placid or welcoming. The sharp glares of accusation and suspicion sent shudders through Venus' stiffened form that recoiled Optimus to tighten his grip on her side and thigh.

Venus wanted to tell him to run, but there was no way they could pass both them and the nurses.

Either way, she knew that look in her mother's gaze and now in person she wasn't so glad to see her family.

Susan was going to try to take her from her new Father. And she knew her heart wouldn't survive the separation.

☆☆☆

Probably should have mentioned last chapter, but yeah, introducing Chris Hemsworth as Optimus Prime's human persona.

This chapter has been in the making since the birth of this fic, and I hope it was worth the wait. Know there is more to come soon!

I dedicate this chapter to everyone who's like me, grown up without a father in their lives, and like me I hope, has been able to find comfort in Optimus as a result <3 Now you can probably guess why this book is therapeutic to me.

(Commission by OreoGlitch on Instagram/Twitter)